Touring the Oregon coast

Challenges of driving an RV on narrow Highway 101

After following our GPS to some narrow back roads, we made it to Burlington, Washington, where we had arranged to have a new washing machine installed in the motorhome. We had ordered it several months before to ensure everything was ready. Of course there were some surprises and we needed to stay two nights in their parking lot.

We soon made it to the U.S. 101, where we came across many breathtaking views of the ocean surf. There were even a few stop-and-look points where we could get our big units in. It was slightly stormy, which made the ocean even more dramatic.

The girls wanted to get in some shopping and were watching for outlet malls. Soon they spotted a sign that led us to one. We found ourselves needing to manoeuvre through some tight spots, but finally made it to a large mall parking lot. John and I had our fill of shopping after a few minutes, but the girls were in there for a few hours.

By about 2:00 p.m. we were back on the road. I soon understood why the 101 is not the greatest for a large motorhome pulling a car. It is a narrow road with steep hills and endless turns. Gail was sitting back marvelling at the breathtaking scenery while I was trying to make it up and down the hills loaded with tight curves. This was not fun for me, but she was enjoying it.

Oh yes, we did run into a straighter section, but it was of course one of the many road construction sites we came across. It was already just a two-lane highway and they had put up plastic pylons for about a five-mile section, which further narrowed the road. Whoever decided on the location of those pylons did not understand that the crazy Canucks were coming. As I drove down that section I could hear the pulsing of the pylon’s tubing under the motorhome. John told me afterward that he thought he ended up getting most of the ones I missed. Of course we were going down the west coast in the rainy season, so it was also pouring rain most of the time we were travelling.

Soon we arrived at one of our planned stops: Tillamook, Oregon, where they have the famous Tillamook cheese factory. We found an RV park and spent the next few days there. The tour of the factory was quite interesting and we all came out with enough cheese to do us for a while. We even found a great aviation museum in the town.

Back on the 101 south our GPS continued to have its limitations. The 101 takes you through many picturesque communities. However, the street detail on the GPS was very limited and going through some of the towns presented a few challenges. At one point I missed a turn, which took me to a part of the town that was not designed for large traffic. My GPS dutifully pointed out my error and instructed me to make the next left turn. I then found myself on a narrow residential street with cars parked on both sides. The GPS calmly instructed me to make the next right turn, which took me down another residential street.

Getting out of that pickle was not pretty, but we finally made it back to the entrance to the highway. It was a very steep approach that I was sure was not going to be good for the trailer. As I expected, there was a loud scraping noise as we pulled back on to the highway. Almost immediately our travelling companions got on the radio and told us there was a problem with the trailer. I pulled off at the first opportunity to find that the ball had been ripped off the hitch and the trailer was dragging by the safety chains. It had also ripped all of the trailer wiring out at the hitch.

Oh well--at least it had quit raining.

I dug out my tools and got to work. Within a few hours I had a new ball on the hitch and the wiring was fixed.

By now I had my fill of the 101 and I was ready to move over to Interstate 5. I was soon overruled and we were on our way to see the California redwoods. Wow: they were truly impressive. The rain stopped long enough for us to get some great pictures. The girls wanted to see every hollowed out tree on the brochure, so I found myself negotiating through more narrow, winding roads in the pouring rain.

Soon I was watching for a service station that sold diesel. As we came around a corner, there was a small station with a diesel sign. At this point my mirrors were almost useless, as they were covered with water droplets, and the side window was the same. As I swung in to get access to the pump, there was a crunching sound. Yes, now one of my basement doors had a dent in it. One more for the ongoing gong show.

We eventually got to every spot on the brochure and were soon heading further south.

But that is my next story.